Our India Treks

Small - Friendly - Adventurous

The trails less trekked during the season of flowers...

Indian trans-Himalaya (& Nepal) journeys are truly our passion and we run the best two week+ India treks and India trekking peaks there are. Unlike Nepal with Everest, there aren't big name drawcards however our treks are incredibly scenic, carefully timed with seasonal conditions, feature the best camping gear & meals and are more adventurous than you might expect. They are truly adventures of a lifetime.

Zanskar Special *private

Our wonderfully balanced trek where we climb a 6000+m peak in only two weeks, and experience Leh and monasteries and the classic Markha Valley trek. With sound acclimatization, this is probably the best two week 6000m peak there is!

The Markha Valley is a classic trek yet homestay trekkers have to skip the highlights. We know and love the area so explore and scramble to over 6000m (!), in the domain of blue sheep and wolves, which we have seen on every trip, and the more elusive snow leopard. We end with a dramatic pass which drops us into a sublime valley with sparkling streams for a refreshing wilderness end.

Tso High

In an area we know and love, this is a Jamie special with some classic trekking to acclimatize, then some "rather high" altitude exploration; some of the passes alone are 5800+m, and we rack up a handful of satisfying, mostly non-technical bumps including one prize. Ask for more details.

This is a sublime panoramic wilderness trek in dazzling light to Kibber and Ki Gompa with our unique detour wandering where wolves and snow leopard roam. We get 6000+m high and cross a few secret passes with some trademark exploring. Adventure from start to finish!

Private treks

We have an excellent trek crew and are happy to arrange a custom trek for four or more friends that dovetail with our existing programs. These need to be planned well in advance. Here are some sample itineraries - let's discuss!

"Regarding Lobsang, I was impressed by his special gift to read our needs and offer solutions even before we had a chance to verbalize anything."
- Adriana W

Here is our most compact trek itinerary, yet is still an adventure holiday. We start with the gompas of Leh then trek the classic Markha Valley, still with time to acclimatize sensibly and explore the highlights of this most beautiful alpine valley.

We experience the full intensity of Ladakh, the gompas and monasteries, and with the quintessential Markha Valley trek at a quiet time of the year. We have plenty of time for discovery and contemplation, and to race off and explore, amid the sublime landscapes.

The Markha Valley is a classic trek yet homestay trekkers skip the highlights. Instead, with a full camping crew, this allows a significantly better itinerary and as much time as you want to explore one of the most beautiful alpine valleys in India. Next up is a wilderness route out in the domain of blue sheep and wolves, surprisingly wild and stunningly scenic with idyllic camps, making this the most satisfying extended Markha trek.

The Markha Valley is a classic trek yet homestay trekkers have to skip the highlights. We know and love the area so explore and scramble to over 6200m, in the domain of blue sheep and wolves, which we have seen on every trip, and the more elusive snow leopard. We end with a dramatic series of passes and a sublime valley with sparkling stream for a refreshing wilderness end.

Revel in the authentic villages, canyons, gorges, formations and high passes of the stunningly colourful Zanskar range. Why is one of the best treks so infrequently trekked? Because it is only possible late season, so starting at the very end of August or early September.

For decades the trek across Zanskar was the best in the region but the classic route is now partly jeep roads. Here though, is a new take, across Zanskar temporarily reborn. Revel in the canyons, gorges, formations and high passes of the stunningly colourful Zanskar range.

India prices are ex-Leh, i.e. you are responsible for getting to Leh (IXL airport
code), see Delhi-Leh travel.

Dates are the date you must arrive in Leh and the date you
are free to fly out of Leh. You can of course arrive earlier or
leave later and we book hotel and transfers to suit. When transiting Delhi in particular, plan your flight times carefully.

Minimums For many trips the minimum number that we
run the trip with is three trekkers, although with a small group surcharge. All treks normally run.

Caring for our staff We have great
staff, and we really care about them, as they care for us. Our guides and cooks have worked years with us. Our ponies-mules never have open sores and are never hit.

Tipping allow approx 5% of
the trip cost as a guideline. The western guides don't take tips.

*Exploratory treks The golden age of exploration dead? Never! These are
'back of an envelope' treks that would warm Tilman's heart. There is
nobody else on the planet who organizes treks quite like this, a positive attitude and smile required.

Expedition-style trekking means sleeping in tents. Our
cook and helpers cater for us with 3 course meals and post-trek snacks, and porters/yaks/ponies carry it all while you
trek with a daypack. Couples share a roomy tent, everyone else gets a single
tent.